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English 090
Basic Writing and Reading
Professor: Dr. Lisa A. Kirby Fall 2005
Office: Pearsall 177
Office Hours: MWF, 1:10-2:10
Tuesday, 9:30-1:00 and by appointment
Phone: 252-985-5337
E-mail: LAKirby@ncwc.edu
Website: http://faculty.ncwc.edu/lakirby
This course is designed to refine and develop the student’s reading and writing skills as preparation for college work. Individual instruction is available and each student will complete considerable work in the areas that are the most appropriate to his/her needs.
We shall be reading and writing extensively both alone and in collaboration with our peers and instructor. But progress as a writer comes from practice, and in this course you will not simply be delivering enough words and sentences to reach the page limit, nor will you be able to write any of your papers the night before the due date. You’ll be thinking and taking notes about your subject from the day each paper is assigned. You will also find that collecting, sorting, and drawing conclusions from a variety of sources for your final draft are integral parts of the writing process. This class is intended to make you a better, more confident writer for the rest of your writing career.
Whether they take the form of in-class or out-of-class writings, I expect you to put forth effort and take each writing assignment seriously. We will be using the writing process in this class, which means that each essay will be taken through the prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing stages. You must turn in all stages of your writing in order to receive credit for an assignment. To stay organized, you should purchase a paper folder for this class. All essays, along with all stages of writing, will be turned in with this folder.
Paper Format
All of your major papers should be typed, double spaced, and in 12 pt. font. You should turn in all of your papers in a folder to keep your work organized. For all assignments, I will require that you turn in your prewriting, rough drafts, peer review, final draft, Works Cited page, and any required sources. Without these materials, I will not grade your paper.
Most informal or in-class writings can be hand written, although it is best to type your work whenever possible. Please ensure that your handwriting is neat as neither your peers nor I can fairly assess illegible work. Handwritten work, whether written in class or out, should be submitted on lined paper and you should skip every other line. All work must be dated and must state your name, course name and section, and my name.
Towards the end of the semester, all students in English 090 will be required to present a brief presentation to the class. This presentation will be tied to one of your final writing assignments, and all students must complete the presentation in order to receive credit for the course. Even if you have passed the exit essay, you must still complete this presentation. More information on this assignment will follow as we near the end of the semester.
As part of our course requirements, you will be expected to meet with me for individual conferences. We will meet together several times during the semester. Your attendance at these conferences is a required component of this course, and you will receive a class absence for each missed conference.
Students with Disabilities
North Carolina Wesleyan College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities. The College shall provide reasonable accommodations for each eligible student who a) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, b) has a record or history of such an impairment, or c) is regarded as having such an impairment. Eligible students should let me know as soon as possible so that we can make proper accommodations for this class. Please also refer to page 82 of your College Catalog for information on the support services that Wesleyan offers.
The Writing Lab is an academic support service available to Wesleyan students. Writing specialists and peer tutors are available for one-on-one tutorials in Pearsall 186. The Lab also offers an Online Writing Lab (OWL) that allows students to e-mail questions about their writing, submit drafts online for review, or access handouts on various writing-related topics. Please call (252) 985-5325 or visit the Lab’s Web site at http://annex.ncwc.edu/writing_lab/ for more information. The Lab is a wonderful resource for all Wesleyan students, and I strongly encourage you to visit the Lab for additional help with your writing.
Each student is expected to attend class regularly and participate in class activities. Because we will be doing so much in-class discussion of your writing, your attendance is crucial. If you are going to be absent, it is your responsibility to contact and discuss with me any work you may have missed, even if the absence is excused. If you are going to be absent on the day an assignment is due, the assignment must be turned in to me prior to class time on the day of the absence or it will be considered late. You must let me know if you have a legitimate reason for missing class such as participation in college-related activities or athletics. If you are an athlete, it is your responsibility to get in touch with me prior to being absent from class regardless of whether I receive e-mails from coaches or the athletic department. You are allowed three unexcused absences. With the fourth unexcused absence, you will be dropped from the course with a grade of ‘F.’ Generally there will be no exceptions to this policy, and any requests for exceptions must be made before a fourth absence is incurred. Students are responsible for all work missed due to absences. Please also be aware that three tardies or leaving class early three times counts as one absence. While I expect you to be in class and keep up with your assignments, I will not accept notes from parents, doctors, or the like as excuses. The only excused absences are those sanctioned by the College.
Late work
You should arrive to class prepared to discuss that day’s reading and writing assignments and participate in any assigned group work. While from time to time I may volunteer you for certain questions, I rely on you to voice your opinions and participate in class discussion.
Additionally, before submitting final drafts of some of your major papers, you will work in small groups evaluating each other’s work in peer review workshops. How seriously you evaluate, how specific your comments, and how helpful you are will be evaluated by your peers as well as me.
On selected Fridays during the semester, we will meet in the computer lab in PC 189. I will let you know in advance which days you should come to the lab. This will allow us time to work on our writing in a computerized environment. This time is meant as “work time.” That means that there should be no surfing the Web, instant messaging, or e-mailing during this time. Instead, this hour each will be used to work on your out-of-class essays or for activities that I assign during class. If this time is not used wisely, we will no longer go to the computer lab.
There is no final letter grade for this class; this is a pass/fail class. However, it is essential that you complete all of the assigned reading and writing to be successful in this class. Failure to complete all assigned homework, correctly prepare and format assignments, adequately revise papers, or attend tutoring (if required) will result in the student losing his/her eligibility to write the final (exit) essay. Remember that you must earn the right to take this exit essay; you can easily earn that privilege by attending class regularly, completing all of your assignments in a timely fashion, working hard on your writing and reading, and being an engaged member of the class.
Exit essays are read and graded by the English faculty; their assessment of your writing skills will determine your eligibility to enter English 111 in the spring semester. You will be given two opportunities to write a successful essay; these essays will be written during the final three weeks of class. Students who have not completed all required course work will not be permitted to write the exit essay.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism, or academic dishonesty, is the appropriation, theft, purchase, or obtaining by any means another’s work, and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of that work as one’s own offered for credit. Appropriation includes the quoting or paraphrasing of another's work without giving credit therefore. Please refer to pages 74-75 of your North Carolina Wesleyan College Catalog for the official university policy on plagiarism. There is a zero tolerance policy on plagiarism in this classroom; if you are found guilty, not only will you be penalized in this course, but you will also be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs.
Class Environment
Our class will be most successful if we work in an environment of respect, cooperation, and good citizenship. In addition to completing your assignments in a timely manner, we can foster a successful classroom environment if we all observe the following policies:
· Cell phones and pagers should be turned off and out of sight at all times;
· We will be discussing many issues as a class, so I expect and encourage students to speak during class time. This is not a lecture-style course, and it will be much more interesting if students participate fully. However, when side conversations take place among individual students, this can prove very disruptive. Please make certain that you give your peers and me the proper respect by refraining from individual conversations during class time;
· You should arrive prepared with your books, paper, and writing instrument on a daily basis;
· Please arrive on time to class and remain for the entire class period unless you have made prior arrangements with me;
· Remember that this is an academic environment and proper language and behavior are expected. We are all adults and while mature language is appropriate in certain circumstances, offensive language and profanity will not be tolerated;
· You must complete all of the reading assignments for this class. Reading comprehension and critical thinking are essential parts of making sure you are ready for the exit essay. If you come to class without having completed that day’s reading assignment, I have no way of evaluating your progress;
· The time you spend in this classroom is reserved for this course. Please do not spend time studying for other classes or reading other materials; and
· Please respect your peers’ views, comments, and ideas. You do not have to agree with all opinions expressed, but you should express any dissent in a respectful manner.
Observing these policies will ensure that we have the best semester possible. I retain the right to count you absent should you engage in any of the above behaviors. Remember there is more to attending class than merely being physically present.
Course Schedule
Wednesday, August 24 Discuss syllabus
Homework: Read Doors, pages 3-11
Friday, August 26 In-class writing #1
Homework: Read Doors, pages 12-24
Informal writing
Week 2: Unit 1—The Writing Process
Monday, August 29 Return in-class writings
Discuss the writing process
Discuss reading
Homework: Read Doors, pages 31-33
Wednesday, August 31 Discuss reading
Discuss prewriting techniques
Hand out guidelines for Essay #1
Begin work on Essay #1
Homework: Work on Essay #1
Friday, September 2 Work on Essay #1
(meet in computer lab) Homework: Finish final draft of Essay #1
Week 3: Unit 1—Reading Strategies
Monday, September 5 No class—Labor Day Holiday
Wednesday, September 7 Essay #1 due!
Discuss plagiarism
In-class group activity
Sign up for Conference #1
Homework: Read Doors, pages 126-28 and 139-49
Friday, September 9 Discuss readings
(meet in computer lab) Discuss thesis statements
Homework: Prepare for conference
Rewrite thesis statement
Monday, September 12 No class—conferences
Homework: Read Doors, pages 159-63
Wednesday, September 14 Discuss reading
Discuss in-class writing techniques
Homework: Prepare for in-class writing
Friday, September 16 In-class writing #2
Homework: Read Doors, pages 203-213
Monday, September 19 Discuss reading
Homework: Read Doors, pages 235-238
Wednesday, September 21 Discuss reading
Hand out guidelines for Essay #2
Prewriting for Essay #2
Homework: Work on rough draft of Essay #2
Friday, September 23 TBA
Homework: Finish rough draft of Essay #2
Week 6: Unit 2--Revision
Monday, September 26 Rough draft workshop—Essay #2
Wednesday, September 28 Essay #2 due!
Discuss revision techniques
Homework: Read Doors, pages 259-69
Friday, September 30 Revision activity
(meet in computer lab) Discuss reading
Homework: Finish revision activity
Read Doors, pages 276-80,
and 290-91
Monday, October 3 Discuss revisions
Discuss readings
Sign up for conferences
Homework: Prepare for in-class writing
Wednesday, October 5 In-class writing #3
Homework: Read Doors, pages 317-28
Friday, October 7 Discuss readings
(meet in computer lab) Hand out guidelines for Essay #3
Work on Essay #3
Homework: Prepare for conference
Work on rough draft of Essay #3
Monday, October 10 No class—conferences
Homework: Finish rough draft of Essay #3
Wednesday, October 12 Discuss paragraph development
In-class activity
Friday, October 14 No class—Fall Break
Homework: Read Doors, pages 373-383
Week 9: Unit 3—Development
Monday, October 17 Essay #3 due!
Discuss readings
Homework: Read Doors, pages 384-395
Wednesday, October 19 Discuss reading
Homework: Read Doors, pages 401-06
Friday, October 21 Discuss reading
(meet in computer lab) Revision activity
Homework: Finish revision activity
Week 10: Unit 4—Critical Thinking
Monday, October 24 In-class writing #4
Homework: Read Doors, pages 517-34
Wednesday, October 26 Discuss reading
Hand out guidelines for Essay #4
Prewriting for Essay #4
Homework: Finish prewriting
Read Doors, pages 537-40
Friday, October 28 Work on Essay #4
(meet in computer lab) Discuss argument
Homework: Prepare for conference
Week 11: Unit 4—Argumentation
Monday, October 31 No class—conferences
Homework: Finish rough draft of Essay #4
Wednesday, November 2 Rough draft workshop—Essay #4
Homework: Finish Essay #4
Read Doors, pages 506-07
Friday, November 4 Essay #4 due!
Discuss reading
Homework: Read Doors, pages 447-67
Week 12: Unit 4—Revising Arguments
Monday, November 7 Discuss reading
Hand out guidelines on Essay #5 and
presentations
Work on presentations
Homework: Read Doors, pages 517-34
Wednesday, November 9 Discuss readings
Homework: Work on Essay #5 and presentation
Friday, November 11 In-class writing #5
Homework: Work on Essay #5 and presentation
Week 13: Unit 5—Presentations
Monday, November 14 Presentations
Homework: Work on Essay #5 and presentation
Wednesday, November 16 Presentations
Homework: Work on Essay #5 and presentation
Friday, November 18 Presentations
Homework: Prepare for conference
Week 14: Unit 5—Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 21 No class—conferences
Homework: Prepare for conference
Wednesday, November 23 No class—Thanksgiving Holiday
Friday, November 25 No class—Thanksgiving Holiday
Week 15: Unit 5—Conferences
Monday, November 28 No class—conferences
Wednesday, November 30 No class—conferences
Last day of classes
Friday, December 2 No class—Final Exams
Monday, December 5- Thursday, December 8